Download Lower Rio Grande / Rio Bravo Binational Ecosystem Team

Lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Binational
Ecosystem Group
Ernesto Reyes
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Ecological Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is
working with others to conserve, protect, and
enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats
for the continuing benefit of the American
people.
South Texas Refuge Complex
•Since 1920, more than 95% of native vegetation in the
Rio Grande Valley (Delta) has been converted to
agriculture and urban sprawl.
•More than 90% of the riparian habitat in the LRGV
has been converted to agriculture and urbanization.
•It is estimated that more than 98% of the
subtropical region has disappeared .
Population Growth
•Today, the border region is home to more than
11.8 million people with 6.3 million in the U.S. and
5.5 million in Mexico within 60 miles on either
side of the border.
•90% of the population resides in 14 paired sister
cities with the rest living in small towns or rural
communities.
•The population of Mexico border municipalities
is expected to double in nine years.
•Over 35% of Texas border population lives in
Poverty.
1,268 T & E species in the U.S.
82 T & E species in Texas
43 T & E species along Texas Border
20 T& E species in the LRGV
Species Biodiversity in the Valley
Birds - 500
Butterflys – 300
Plants – 1,600
Endangered species - 20
Species of concern - 46
Río Bravo (Boca Chica) open
Río Bravo (Boca Chica) closed
International Bridges
Border Patrol Drag Roads
Portable Lights
Permanent Lights
• On February 13-14, 2002, the Lower Rio Grande/Rio
Bravo Ecosystem Group had a meeting in SPI.
• A small core group was put together with federal,
state, and NGO’s from South Texas and Northern
Tamaulipas, Mexico to write an ecosystem
management plan .
• The participating agencies of this core group are
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Texas Parks &
Wildlife Department, The Nature Conservancy,
SEMARNAT, SEDUE y PRONATURA.
The Lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Binational Ecosystem
Group developed a Binational Ecosystem Management Plan
in 2002
• 1. Problems
• 2. Ecosystem Boundary
• 3. Vision Statement
• 4. Description of Habitats
• 5. Objectives
• 6. Strategies
• 7. Specific Actions
Water Conservation
Objective 1: Maintaining and improving the
Quality of water
Strategy (1): Facilitate the appropriate water flow for
aquatic wildlife and riparian areas
Strategy (2): Develop data to facilitate conservation
of underground water resources
Strategy (3): Develop data to assure sufficient supply
of water for management of wetlands
Objective 2: Management and improvement of
local species and habitat
Strategy (1): Maintain and improve the quality
of subsurface water for the conservation of
natural resources for fish and wildlife
Strategy (2): Manage and improve the quality
of subsurface water for the conservation
of fish
Species and Habitats
Objective 1: Identify groups of local species including
migratory birds, federally-listed, proposed, candidate and
rare species
Strategy (1): Conserve and recover listed, proposed,
candidate, and rare species
Strategy (2): Conserve and restore migratory bird
habitat
Strategy (3): Management of non-native species
Strategy (4): Conserve and restore commercial
fisheries
Objective 2: Conserve and restore focal habitats
Strategy (1): Conserve and restore wetlands and
Tamaulipan brush
Strategy (2): Conserve and restore native
grasslands
Strategy (3): Connect and restore wildlife corridors
along the Rio Grande River and north and south
of the Texas-Mexico border.
Conservation Education
Objective 1: Increase public awareness of the value of
natural resources
Strategy (1): Increase public awareness of the
importance of wildlife to quality of human life
Objective 2: Promote outdoor recreation activities
(Ecotourism)
Strategy (1): Promote outdoor recreational
opportunities to increase public awareness and
involvement in wildlife conservation
• The Binational Group is working together to
establish a wildlife corridor on both sides of the
border along the river.
• Establish wildlife corridors north and south of
the border.
• Identify areas that need restoration to make
these connections
• Establish conservation agreements
Dense Habitat
Wildlife Corridor and Agriculture
OCELOTE
Laguna Madre
of Texas
and Tamaulipas
JAGUARUNDI
Laguna Madre in Mexico is a
Natural Protected Area
Restoration needed along the Rio Grande River
Overgrazed Areas that need Restoration
Coastal Grassland
Conservation Agreements in Tamaulipas, Mexico
Fire training in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Fire Training at Chipinque Ecological Park
in Monterrey, N.L. Mexico
Creating a fire break in Monterrey
Environmental Education with Mexico